(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 20/2018 from the Director of Public Health was received.

Mr M Andrews, Deputy Director for People, introduced the report, the purpose of which to set out the process and proposed award criteria for the procurement of an integrated sexual health service, along with recommendations for approval and delegation of final award.

During the discussion the following points were raised:

i.      It was noted that the duty to provide a service for military personnel was now the responsibility of the Local Authority as there was no longer provision by the armed forces;

ii.     Evidenced showed that Rutland residents were more likely to visit clinics situated in Oakham or Leicester. It was important, therefore, that the Oakham clinic remained open and that the contract allowed suitable access to clinics in Leicester at an acceptable cost;

iii.    The award criteria had been decided through a process of negotiation to ensure that each partner was able to achieve their aims; and

iv.   The service was currently funded from the ring fenced Public Health Grant, but in future would be funded from business rates retention.

DECISION

1)    Cabinet APPROVED the procurement model and award criteria for the new model of integrated sexual health services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR).

2)    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Director for People, in consultation with the Director of Public Health and the Cabinet Member with the portfolio for Adult Social Care and Health, to award the contract resulting from this procurement in line with the Award Criteria.

Reasons for decision

1.    Upper tier local authorities had a statutory responsibility to provide a comprehensive open access sexual health service.  The current integrated sexual health service contract commissioned by Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council and Leicester City Council would end on 31 December 2018.

2.    Following a review of the current service model, a revised delivery model had been developed across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, which would provide a more targeted approach, meeting the needs of each area under one integrated service.  This would make greater use of online services and other schemes, such as self-sampling test kits for sexually transmitted infections and HIV, and improve access to free condoms and sexual health advice and information.  The model would continue to provide a combined integrated service with appropriate variation to meet the needs of Rutland residents.

3.    In order for the procurement process to commence, the award criteria needed to be approved by Cabinet.  The criteria had been carefully considered to ensure that providers successful in the process were capable of meeting the requirements and could deliver appropriate quality services in Rutland.

4.    It was recommended that once the award criteria were approve, approval of the award of contracts was delegated to the Director for People in consultation with the Director of Public Health and the Portfolio Holder.  Decisions would only be taken in line with Cabinet approved criteria.